Seton Hall Athletics Marketing
With anticipation of the new basketball season rapidly approaching, the Seton Hall University athletics marketing department will host a ‘Basketball Tip-Off Party’ on Oct. 3.
The event falls on Seton Hall Weekend, a concurrence that athletics marketing view as a perfect opportunity to host the event.
“Last year’s event was open to season ticket holders, this year’s event is open to strictly students,” O’Neil said. “That was something we’re adamant about because the event is falling on Seton Hall Weekend. Seton Hall Weekend is always looking for programming for students—it’s supposed to be a parents weekend, an alumni weekend and a weekend to celebrate Seton Hall family, so athletics jumped on the occasion to hold a student activity.”
The event will similarly reflect last year’s March Madness party.
“It’s going to follow a similar format to last year’s event,” said Kelly O’Neil, assistant athletics director of Marketing & Promotions. “The emphasis will be on bridging the gap between our student athletes and our actual students. Our plan is to have our regular students involved in the evening with various contests aimed at basketball but also fan engagement.”
In addition to bridging that gap, O’Neil said the event will be “an opportunity for clubs and organizations to be involved.”
According to O’Neil, while this year’s event will not feature the likes of hot dog eating champion Kobayashi, similar events like a three-point contest, dunk contest and a half-court shot contest will take place. O’Neil added athletics marketing are still finalizing other events.
Hot 97.1 disc-jockey Cipha Sounds and his partner Drewski will host the event, providing entertainment for students.
“There will be some dances and the traditional fight song and other elements of Seton Hall basketball,” O’Neil said.
In addition to the entertainment, prizes such as a personalized jersey will be included in various raffles. Athletics marketing is doing a throwback giveaway featuring the old Pirates logo.
The party will also feature athletics marketing’s newest campaign—the revamped pirate mascot.
The new mascot, according to O’Neil, was an effort to exceed a basketball-only look and models after the Spartan look from Michigan State in terms of stature.
“We wanted to create a look that could transcend basketball,” O’Neil said. “I think the mascot that has been used in the three years that I have been at Seton Hall has been strictly a basketball mascot and if you look at any other institution in division one athletics, their mascots transcends sports.”
The new mascot will have multiple costume options, more than the “awful” looking old mascot.
The event will take place in Walsh Gymnasium on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. with the doors opening at 7:30 p.m.
David Heim can be reached at david.heim@student.shu.edu or on twitter @Davidheim12.
